Write about a character trying to heal an old rift.

Posted in Sad on Nov 1, 2022

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✍️ 44 stories

“Broken” by L. E. Scott

TW: This story alludes to sexual abuse, and contains some violence.It has been ten years since you told me to leave and never come back. I think about that night sometimes. I replay it in my mind. It was mostly my fault. I took my anger out on you, because I couldn’t take it out on him. I think I blamed you, for not noticing, for not stopping it. Eventually, you kicked him to the curb, but that didn’t quiet my anger. It continued to explode. That was the night I shattered plate after plate against the side of your house....

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“Katie” by Brynn Helena

"Last night I dreamt that you killed me."I tried to laugh, but my attempt was weak, and Kate wasn't convinced. She never seemed to be. "Y'know," she began, leaning back in her chair as if to get as far away from me as possible without just standing up and leaving, "when you invited me for coffee, that really wasn't what I was expecting you to start with." Naturally, she was defensive and I tried to backpedal. This had always been the yin and yang of our relationship.

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“Sodade” by Michał Przywara

The party is ruined the moment Gwen spots Wesley standing by the piano. The rest of the spacious condo, with its polished hardwood floor and tastefully arranged furniture, grows muted. The gentle chatter of the other upscale guests and the moody voice of Cesária Évora coming from the artfully hidden speakers blur into the background. All she sees is Wesley. All she hears is his laugh.The host, Ben Dambers, hovers around Wesley, with a bowtie on his neck and a martini in his hand. His boisterous voice, already half-laughing, starts ...

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“The Art of Aestivation” by Claire Lindsey

Aestivation: a state of dormancy assumed in response to harsh environmental conditions, such as drought or extreme heat. One of the few times my father cried in his life was when the OB squinted into the screen at the sonogram and said I was a boy. A father of four daughters, José Antonio Villanueva had only ever wanted a son. So much so, in fact, that he remained convinced each ...

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“How to Disrupt Inertia” by J.C. Lovero

Out of all the people in class, he was the LAST one I wanted to be paired with for the semester.I raised my hand.Coach Campbell’s feet rested on top of his desk. He raised an eyebrow, maintaining his focus on the Sports Illustrated magazine. “Yes, Miss Lawson?”“Can I be reassigned to a different partner?” I cast a sidelong glance in Nathan’s direction. “If I’m going to keep my spot as head cheerleader, I really can’t fail physics.”After our breakup last summer, I’d rather work alone.Coa...

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“'Green Bean Couch'” by Faith Abbington

TW: substance abuse, minor wound (gore), destruction of objects in anger (violence) Rose gripped her coffee mug by the handle, glaring at the messy countertop. She began to sweep crumbs onto the floor with her empty hand, then stopped, realizing she’d have to sweep them up later. “What have I told you about leaving messes, Harold?” she murmured. “Soon, it’ll attract pests. You know I hate pests.” She muttered angry nothings about roaches and rats until her eyes caught on the empty barstool where Harold usual...

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“Gingerbread Mafia” by John K Adams

Many folk tales describe hapless children marking their paths with stones, to not get lost. Now, it’s become a thing. Once humble hiking trails have transformed into gleaming, shimmering paths to a fantasyland. Or to the dark lair of a witch. Trends, fads and fashions prove spontaneous generation. Like ‘love locks’ on a bridge. Who expects the weight of so many padlocks to threaten its structural integrity? What ...

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“Five Steps From Hatred” by Zoë Page

Sometimes you loathe someone so much, your mind and judgement become clouded by rage and along the way, your loathing becomes morphed. All is needed is for a “v” to replace the “a”, “t,” and “h”, and suddenly your mortal enemy who lives to boil your blood is the person you want to comfort you when life doesn’t go your way. There is a fine line between hating someone so purely your innocent soul wishes only to murder them and loving someone. Love is a strong force not to be meddled with. It attacks you at the most unexpected times. You mig...

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“Ms. Fortune (II)” by L.C. Schäfer

"She's a fortune teller, you know, though you'd never know it. Look at her, wobbling along on her bicycle. "If she could really read the future or anything, she'd do something useful wouldn't she? Win the lottery or something." "She must know nobody likes her." The woman doesn't have to be a mystic to know what they think of her. Even if they troubled themselves to keep their voices down, it is stamped all over their faces. "Madam Sybille"...

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“He who angers you controls you.” by Shan Hart

“ If she’s going to be there, count me out. I’d rather sign up for a colonoscopy and mammogram on the same day than spend another second in that person’s presence,” Anita said as she sipped on her glass of wine. Anita had met up with Todd and Lisa for their weekly lunch at Mortellos and of course, the topic of discussion that keeps coming up is their 20 year high school reunion. She didn’t want to be a Debbie dow...

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“The Rift Shift” by John Steckley

The Rift Shift FredA short, rather thin man in his early thirties walks into a clothing store, and nearly collides with a row of hanging shirts when he sees someone a few rows down, someone who quickly disappears from view. He begins to talk to himself without speaking the words.“Well, Fred, there’s that bastard John Ford. I haven’t seen him for years, not since we both graduated from high school. I heard that he moved to another side of the city, and none of the high school guy...

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“Why did you come back?” by L J

She opened the door. A stranger was standing on the doorstep, yet not quite a stranger nor yet a friend. She blinked, not wanting to know if it was really him. "Hi mom. Will you let me in?" he smiled. She remembered the way his dimples appeared and the crinkle in his eyes, like he knew a good joke but wasn't going to share it. This was not a joke. "I haven't seen you in ten years. How are ...

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“The Spell” by Kasia Harman

The icy Nordic wind blew across the dark Baltic Sea, hastily sweeping the clouds across a full blue moon. With a deep breathe she focused her concentration and began the ritual she had been preparing for for so many years. The timing was crucial and the final ingredient had to be dropped into the cauldron at the precise moment the last word of the incantation was uttered. She had relentlessly practiced t...

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“Emma” by Ela Mikh

2001Seven-year-old Jimmy was wandering around the street kicking a dusty rock around, bored out of his mind. It was the middle of summer so most of his friends were either at the lake or on vacation with their parents. His mom had to work and so there he was – stuck in the hot city watching the clouds of dust rise every time cars passed by. Mother promised him ice cream but said he needed to stop whining and wait for her outside for a few minutes. Jimmy didn’t know how much time had passed but thoug...

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“Offers Given, Burdens Gained” by Atrice J. R.

The Nsoro are merciless bastards, of that I am sure. You had hoped that this wedding would be the first step to peace between our tribe and theirs but, Your Radiance, my confidence dwindles by the minute. The day began well enough. Everything was in its rightful place, as was everyone. However the trouble came just before the morning invocation. The twin grooms caught sight of the garments they were meant to wear and went on a rampage. Apparently, the Nsoro hold orange as a holy sign and blue as the source of nightmares and inauspicio...

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Title: Broken

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Write about a character trying to heal an old rift.

Submissions are closed

✍️ 44 stories

“Broken” by L. E. Scott

“Katie” by Brynn Helena

“Sodade” by Michał Przywara

“The Art of Aestivation” by Claire Lindsey

“How to Disrupt Inertia” by J.C. Lovero

“'Green Bean Couch'” by Faith Abbington

“Gingerbread Mafia” by John K Adams

“Five Steps From Hatred” by Zoë Page

“Ms. Fortune (II)” by L.C. Schäfer

“He who angers you controls you.” by Shan Hart

“The Rift Shift” by John Steckley

“Why did you come back?” by L J

“The Spell” by Kasia Harman

“Emma” by Ela Mikh

“Offers Given, Burdens Gained” by Atrice J. R.

🌟 Similar prompts

Write a story about a character learning to stand up for themselves.

Write a story about two characters who have been fighting for so long, they can’t remember what started it.

Write a story that includes the line “I can’t believe we’re arguing over this.”

Write about a character who settles disputes for a living (a judge, mediator, school counselor, etc).

Contest #153

Enter our weekly contest!

$250

Prize money

224

Contest entries

106

Stories

Win $250 in our short story competition 🏆

Tired of MS Word?

Explore more writing prompt ideas: